Team News
After thumping Arsenal in the Champions League midweek, Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri will likely rest a number of players for the Serie A clash with Cesena. The coach will likely replace two-goal hero Robinho with Stephan El Shaarawy, while either Maximiliano Lopez or Alexandre Pato will occupy the vacancy left by Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who continues to serve his three-game ban after being ejected in a recent outing with Napoli.
But while Clarence Seedorf will miss the match due to a muscle strain, fellow Dutch midfielder Mark van Bommel returns to the side after missing the victory over Udinese due to suspension. Other players who will sit out the game include Kevin-Prince Boateng and Alessandro Nesta.
Hosts Cesena are in much need of a boosting victory, however, will be unable to count with the services of several players due to a combination of mild and long-term injury layoffs. Coach Daniele Arrigoni will have to deal with the absences of Steve Bergen, Vangelis Moras and Damjan Djokovic. However, winter reinforcements Vincenzo Iaquinta and Mario Santana will be available for selection.
Form
Milan come into the clash high on confidence, after hammering Arsenal 4-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday. The Rossoneri completely outplayed their Premier League opponents, with a dominant display which they will hope to replicate against Cesena on Sunday. What should further boost Milan’s chances of obtaining maximum points is the fact that they have won four out of their last five Serie A road tips, and have accounted for a season high of 21 goals in twelve away matches.
Lowly Cesena find themselves tied with Novara at the bottom of the table on 16 points, and have scored the least goals in the Serie A this season, with just 15. They enter the match after having surrendered a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 against Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico just over a week ago, to extend their winless streak to four games.
Head-to-head
The Rossoneri have claimed two straight victories over Cesena, with their latest victory coming last September, when an early Seedorf strike made the difference at the San Siro stadium. Cesena have managed five wins over Milan in their history, with their last victory arriving in 2010, when Erjon Bogdani and Emanuele Giaccherini were on target for a 2-0 win.
Prediction
The Italian champions come into the clash on the back of an impressive Champions League victory over Arsenal, but despite the likelihood of resting a number of their key players against Cesena, they are expected to rack up a further three points that would allow them to remain on top of the Serie A.
The Verdict:
Cesena 0-2 Milan
